How Much Do Digital and Newspaper Obituaries Cost? 2025–2026 Price Ranges and Ways to Save

If you have never had to place an obituary before, the pricing can feel like it comes out of nowhere. You may be juggling calls, paperwork, and family logistics, and then—almost as an afterthought—someone asks, “Do you want an obituary in the paper?” It sounds like a simple yes-or-no, but it is actually a budget decision wrapped in emotion. Families often want to honor a life publicly, reach the community that knew the person, and share service details clearly. At the same time, nobody wants to spend money unnecessarily, especially when there are other expenses competing for attention.

This guide is here to answer the question families search in the middle of all of that: how much does an obituary cost in 2025–2026, and what choices actually move the price up or down. We will walk through common fee structures (like obituary fees per line), realistic price ranges, and the simplest ways to save without making the tribute feel “cheap.” We will also cover online obituary cost, what counts as a free online obituary, and how to publish obituary online in a way that still feels official and easy to share.

Before you compare prices, know what you’re buying

In most places, families have three different “products” in front of them, even if everyone casually calls them an obituary. First is a short death notice: a compact announcement that a death occurred and where services will be held. Second is a longer obituary: more of a life story, often with family, work, hobbies, and a sense of the person. Third is the online memorial page or guestbook that lives on after print.

Print still matters for many families because it reaches a specific community—neighbors, former coworkers, church members, longtime friends—who may not be connected on social media. Online matters because it is easy to share with distant family and because it can hold more than a newspaper ever could: extra photos, longer stories, and a guestbook for condolences. Some publications bundle print and online together; others charge separately. For example, the Star Tribune’s obituary FAQ describes per-line pricing for print and also offers an online-only option, illustrating how the “same” obituary can be priced differently depending on where it appears.

The most important mindset shift is this: you do not need to put everything everywhere. Many families save money by placing a short, clear notice in print (so the community is informed) and then publishing the fuller story online (so the tribute is complete and shareable).

2025–2026 obituary pricing: what families are actually seeing

There is no single national price, because newspaper obituary pricing is set by each publication and influenced by local ad markets. Still, patterns show up across the U.S. in 2025–2026. The ranges below reflect common structures and real published rate examples, so you can estimate more confidently before you submit anything.

Local and community papers: often billed by line

Smaller local papers frequently charge by the line and keep the math straightforward. The Ellsworth American and Mount Desert Islander advertising guide lists obituary rates such as $2.50 per line for one paper (with an added photo fee), which is a typical example of how community pricing works. In Virginia, the Southside Sentinel 2026 media kit shows memorial and notice pricing by line with minimums, plus optional add-ons like photos and formatting choices—another common approach in local publications.

In this category, many families land in the low hundreds when they keep the notice concise. If the paper requires a minimum number of lines, adds formatting fees, or you run it for multiple weeks, the cost rises—but it is still often more predictable than metro papers.

Metro papers: pricing can jump quickly with size, photos, and days

Larger newspapers often price obituaries more like advertising, because they are selling limited print space and broader reach. In Los Angeles, for example, the Los Angeles Times obituary placement page notes that prices start at $205 for a short 5-line notice, with higher prices for larger notices. In Seattle, the Seattle Times obituary portal shows packages starting in the mid-hundreds, with rates increasing for longer notices.

Some metro publications also separate the “print space” from the online guestbook or charge an automatic digital fee when you exceed the free minimum. The Tampa Bay Times obituary submission page is a clear illustration: it explains a structure with a small free baseline, then a per-line cost beyond that, and a separate automatic charge tied to the online guestbook once the obituary becomes a paid notice.

In practical terms, this is why obituary cost 2026 conversations can sound wildly different from one family to another. A short metro notice might be a few hundred dollars. A longer story, multiple publication days, and a photo can move the cost meaningfully higher.

National or high-profile placements: “starting at” is not the full story

Some families consider national papers or high-reach outlets. In many cases, you will see a “starting at” number that reflects a basic package, not the final price once length, days, and add-ons are selected. Legacy’s placement pages provide examples of starting prices for specific publications, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. These pages are useful for setting expectations: even a “simple” package is often priced in the hundreds before you expand the notice.

Why the price changes: the fee structures that matter most

When families feel surprised by a quote, it is usually because the paper is not charging “for an obituary.” It is charging for space and production, and it has a specific measuring system. The most common pricing models look like this:

• Per line (often with a minimum number of lines, and sometimes discounted rates for additional days)
• Per word (less common than per line, but used in some publications and platforms)
• Per column inch (more typical in metro papers where obituaries are treated like display ads)
• Package pricing (a base price that includes a certain size, with upgrades for larger formats, photos, borders, or extra publication days)

Two details inside those structures are worth watching closely. First is how the publication defines a “line.” Some papers fit around 20–35 characters per line depending on font and layout. The Star Tribune FAQ explains both its per-line rates and roughly how many characters fit per line, which is exactly the kind of detail that helps you estimate before you submit. Second is how photos are charged. Sometimes a photo is a flat fee; sometimes it consumes “lines,” which quietly increases the price even if the photo itself is advertised as included.

Finally, many publications charge more for Sundays or peak days, and offer discounts if you run the notice multiple days. The Los Angeles Times placement page explicitly notes discounts for multiple days and that Sundays cost more than other days—another pattern families commonly run into.

Digital options: what “online obituary cost” usually means in 2025–2026

If you are looking for a lower-cost alternative, digital publishing is often where families find flexibility. Sometimes the lowest-cost option is surprisingly simple: publish a short notice in print, and then create a full online tribute elsewhere where length is not penalized.

Many funeral homes provide an online obituary page as part of their standard process, and some include it without an added fee. Legacy’s guide on submitting an obituary online notes that funeral homes often file notices on behalf of families and may include online and/or print publication in the cost of services. That does not mean it is always free, but it does mean you should ask before you pay twice.

Outside of funeral-home-hosted pages, there are also platforms that offer a free online obituary or free memorial site. Ever Loved, for example, states that its standard memorial websites are free on its support page about memorial site cost, and it also offers a page to publish a free online obituary. For families trying to manage costs, this is often the simplest “publish online” path: you can share a link immediately, update details if service plans change, and avoid paying by the line for a longer life story.

Some newspapers also offer online-only options. The Star Tribune’s FAQ, for instance, lists an online-only obituary for a flat rate. This matters because online-only from a newspaper may feel more “official” to some families than a separate platform, while still avoiding the biggest driver of print cost: space.

Ways to save on obituary costs without making the tribute feel smaller

When families ask how to lower the price, they are rarely asking how to write less about the person. They are asking how to avoid paying extra for things that do not change meaning. The best savings strategies focus on format and placement—not on stripping away personality.

Use a “print notice + online story” plan

This is the most reliable way to reduce funeral announcement cost while still reaching everyone. Put the essentials in the newspaper: name, age, city, date of death, and service details. Then place a line that points readers to the online obituary link where the full story and guestbook live. The print notice does its job—public announcement—while the online page holds the heart of the tribute.

If you want help keeping the short version clear and human, Funeral.com’s Short Obituary Template is designed for exactly this kind of compact format. And if you need a full walk-through, the Funeral.com guide on How to Write an Obituary helps families build either version without guessing what “belongs.”

Watch the “expensive lines” that add up fast

In per-line systems, long lists of relatives can quietly become the biggest cost driver. If your goal is to keep the obituary warm without paying for a roster, consider summarizing thoughtfully (for example, naming immediate family and then referring to “many grandchildren” when appropriate). This is not about being cold; it is about recognizing that the newspaper is charging for space, not for love.

Be strategic about photos and formatting add-ons

Photos are meaningful, but they can change pricing. Some papers treat a photo as its own fee; others treat it as added space. The Tampa Bay Times submission page shows a clear example of photo charges and how visual elements affect the total. The Southside Sentinel media kit also lists optional add-ons like photos, borders, and bolding, which can be useful—but can also be skipped if your priority is budget.

Ask for a proof before you approve payment

This sounds obvious, but in practice it is one of the best protections. Ask to see the proof exactly as it will print and exactly how the lines are counted. It is easier to adjust one sentence or remove a redundant phrase than to feel stuck after you are billed.

Consider professional help only when it truly reduces stress

Families sometimes look up obituary writing service cost because they are exhausted, not because they cannot write. If hiring help gives you breathing room, it can be a reasonable expense—but it is helpful to know the typical range. Some services publish pricing openly. For example, Dear Person lists a standard obituary fee, and Obituary Scribe lists multiple package options, including obituary writing and shorter notices. You may also see writers quoting a range; The Virtual Copywriter describes a typical range for hiring an obituary writer. If you hire help, remember that writing and publication are separate line items: you are paying the writer for the text, and the newspaper (or platform) for placement.

Where this fits in the larger “funeral planning” picture

Obituary decisions tend to land in the middle of everything else, which is why they can feel emotionally heavy. In the same week you are comparing newspaper obituary pricing, you may also be sorting out funeral planning costs and choices. If you are trying to see the broader budget clearly, Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does a Funeral Cost? can help you understand what is essential, what is optional, and what questions to ask before you commit.

And because cremation continues to rise, many families are making obituary decisions alongside cremation and memorial decisions. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected to reach 63.4% in 2025. The Cremation Association of North America reports a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% for 2024, with continued growth projected. For families navigating that path, it can help to know that you can honor someone publicly through an obituary while also making practical decisions about what comes next with remains.

If you are also choosing memorial items, Funeral.com’s collections for cremation urns for ashes, keepsake urns, pet urns for ashes, and cremation necklaces can help you compare options calmly. If you are deciding what to do with ashes in a more specific way—especially for keeping ashes at home or planning a water burial—Funeral.com’s guide Water Burial and Burial at Sea: What “3 Nautical Miles” Means and the walkthrough Understanding What Happens During a Water Burial Ceremony can make the logistics feel less intimidating.

A simple checklist for choosing the right obituary approach

If you want a practical way to decide without second-guessing yourself, start with two questions. First: who are you trying to reach—local community readers, a national audience, or mostly friends and family who will click a link? Second: what is the purpose—announcing service details, telling a fuller story, or creating a lasting place for condolences?

If your priority is broad community notification, a short print notice usually does the job at a controlled cost. If your priority is a full tribute that can be shared and revisited, an online memorial page—especially one that is free—often gives you the most space and flexibility. Many families choose both: a concise print notice for visibility, and a fuller online tribute for meaning. That combination is often the calmest way to honor someone well while keeping the budget in check.

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